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Dermatology65 papers

Cutaneous mastocytosis

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Cutaneous mastocytosis encompasses a spectrum of disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of mast cells in the skin, including urticaria pigmentosa, solitary mastocytoma, and diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis. It can present with symptoms ranging from itching and skin lesions to systemic manifestations due to mast cell mediator release 7.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Presence of characteristic skin lesions such as urticated plaques or nodules (urticaria pigmentosa) 7.
  • Dermatoscopy: May aid in identifying specific patterns of mastocytosis lesions, though not specific 1.
  • Histopathology: Biopsy with hematoxylin and eosin staining confirms mast cell infiltration; tryptase and CD117 (KIT) immunohistochemistry are crucial for diagnosis 7.
  • Genetic Testing: KIT gene mutations (e.g., D816V) are often detected in systemic mastocytosis 7.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments:
  • - Antihistamines: For symptomatic relief of pruritus (e.g., second-generation antihistamines) 7. - Mast Cell Stabilizers: Cromoglicic acid for reducing mast cell degranulation 7.
  • Adjunctive Treatments:
  • - Systemic Agents: For severe cases, consider corticosteroids or tyrosine kinase inhibitors like midostaurin (Novartis) 7. - Symptom Management: Addressing anaphylaxis risk with epinephrine auto-injectors 7.

    Special Populations

  • Elderly: Older adults may require careful monitoring due to increased comorbidities and potential drug interactions 3.
  • Comorbidities: Management should consider coexisting conditions that may affect treatment choices and outcomes 3.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Biopsy with Immunohistochemistry: Essential for confirming diagnosis through histopathology and KIT mutation analysis (Evidence: Strong 7).
  • Use of Antihistamines: Second-generation antihistamines are recommended for managing pruritus (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Consider Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: For severe systemic manifestations, tyrosine kinase inhibitors like midostaurin should be considered (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Monitor Comorbidities: Tailor treatment plans considering the presence of comorbidities, especially in elderly patients (Evidence: Expert opinion 3).
  • References

    1 Ünal E, Yücel MB, Gedikli SN, Gündüz K, Çevirgen Cemil B, Su Küçük Ö et al.. Teledermatology in cutaneous tumors: diagnostic accuracy, influencing factors, and the role of dermatoscopy. Cutaneous and ocular toxicology 2025. link 2 Claussen CS, Moir G, Bechara FG, Orlando A, Matteucci P, Mowatt D et al.. Prospective cohort study by InspECT on safety and efficacy of electrochemotherapy for cutaneous tumors and metastases depending on ulceration. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG 2022. link 3 Sersa G, Mascherini M, Di Prata C, Odili J, de Terlizzi F, McKenzie GAG et al.. Outcomes of older adults aged 90 and over with cutaneous malignancies after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin: A matched cohort analysis from the InspECT registry. European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology 2021. link 4 Fuchs CSK, Ardigo M, Haedersdal M, Mogensen M. In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of Gold Microparticles Deposited in the Skin. A Case Report on Cutaneous Chrysiasis. Lasers in surgery and medicine 2020. link 5 Grock A, Morley EJ, Roppolo L, Khadpe J, Ankel F, Lin M. Blog and Podcast Watch: Cutaneous Emergencies. The western journal of emergency medicine 2017. link 6 Blecher K, Friedman A. A biopsy diagnosis? clinical clues and patterns to help distinguish cutaneous metastases: part II of II. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD 2011. link 7 Hoang MP, Mahalingam M, Selim MA. Immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of cutaneous neoplasms. Future oncology (London, England) 2010. link 8 Marks MM, Yelverton CB, Williford PM, Teuschler HV, Coloe J, Chen J et al.. A Medicare cost comparison of minor cutaneous procedures by surgical setting. The Journal of dermatological treatment 2010. link 9 Moore JO, Wang Y, Stebbins WG, Gao D, Zhou X, Phelps R et al.. Photoprotective effect of isoflavone genistein on ultraviolet B-induced pyrimidine dimer formation and PCNA expression in human reconstituted skin and its implications in dermatology and prevention of cutaneous carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 2006. link 10 Caplan RM. Osler's legacies to dermatologists. International journal of dermatology 1998. link 11 Rongioletti F, Rebora A. The new cutaneous mucinoses: a review with an up-to-date classification of cutaneous mucinoses. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1991. link70040-9) 12 Arora PN, Aggarwal SK, Ramakrishnan KR. Analysis of dermatological referrals (a series of 662 cases from base and army hospital complex). Indian journal of dermatology 1989. link 13 Fleming MG, Brody N. A new technique for laser treatment of cutaneous tumors. The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology 1986. link 14 Bart RS, Kopf AW. Techniques of biopsy of cutaneous neoplasms. The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology 1979. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Teledermatology in cutaneous tumors: diagnostic accuracy, influencing factors, and the role of dermatoscopy.Ünal E, Yücel MB, Gedikli SN, Gündüz K, Çevirgen Cemil B, Su Küçük Ö et al. Cutaneous and ocular toxicology (2025)
    2. [2]
      Prospective cohort study by InspECT on safety and efficacy of electrochemotherapy for cutaneous tumors and metastases depending on ulceration.Claussen CS, Moir G, Bechara FG, Orlando A, Matteucci P, Mowatt D et al. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG (2022)
    3. [3]
      Outcomes of older adults aged 90 and over with cutaneous malignancies after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin: A matched cohort analysis from the InspECT registry.Sersa G, Mascherini M, Di Prata C, Odili J, de Terlizzi F, McKenzie GAG et al. European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology (2021)
    4. [4]
      In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of Gold Microparticles Deposited in the Skin. A Case Report on Cutaneous Chrysiasis.Fuchs CSK, Ardigo M, Haedersdal M, Mogensen M Lasers in surgery and medicine (2020)
    5. [5]
      Blog and Podcast Watch: Cutaneous Emergencies.Grock A, Morley EJ, Roppolo L, Khadpe J, Ankel F, Lin M The western journal of emergency medicine (2017)
    6. [6]
      A biopsy diagnosis? clinical clues and patterns to help distinguish cutaneous metastases: part II of II.Blecher K, Friedman A Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (2011)
    7. [7]
      Immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of cutaneous neoplasms.Hoang MP, Mahalingam M, Selim MA Future oncology (London, England) (2010)
    8. [8]
      A Medicare cost comparison of minor cutaneous procedures by surgical setting.Marks MM, Yelverton CB, Williford PM, Teuschler HV, Coloe J, Chen J et al. The Journal of dermatological treatment (2010)
    9. [9]
    10. [10]
      Osler's legacies to dermatologists.Caplan RM International journal of dermatology (1998)
    11. [11]
      The new cutaneous mucinoses: a review with an up-to-date classification of cutaneous mucinoses.Rongioletti F, Rebora A Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (1991)
    12. [12]
      Analysis of dermatological referrals (a series of 662 cases from base and army hospital complex).Arora PN, Aggarwal SK, Ramakrishnan KR Indian journal of dermatology (1989)
    13. [13]
      A new technique for laser treatment of cutaneous tumors.Fleming MG, Brody N The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology (1986)
    14. [14]
      Techniques of biopsy of cutaneous neoplasms.Bart RS, Kopf AW The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology (1979)

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